Winchester, Virginia was the home of Virginia Hensley, the woman the world knows as country music legend Patsy Cline.

Cline was the first solo female member of the Grand Ole Opry (1960) and the first female Country Music Hall of Fame inductee (1973). Her hit song, “Crazy,” was written by Willie Nelson and is still the number one jukebox hit of all time.

Patsy Cline’s home, now the Patsy Cline Historic House, is where she lived, slept and spent her “prime years” (1948-53) while pursuing her career. Visitors enter her home, rather than a museum, to find the cupboards stocked with Quaker Oats and other staples in vintage containers.

A 30- to 45-minute guided tour shows off Cline’s clothes, jewelry, newspaper articles and more in rooms with original furnishings, set up just the way any home would be. Purchase a souvenir from the gift shop and be sure to take a seat on the front porch glider for a photo reminiscent of Patsy’s (above).

Hear from the people in Winchester who knew Patsy Cline the best, including her brother-in-law Mel Dick, by watching the video below.

To explore and learn more about Patsy Cline, check out Crazy for Patsy Cline – an itinerary for those wanting to explore all things Patsy in Winchester.

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Virginia “Ginny” Patterson Hensley would be 80 years old this September 8. “Who is that?” you’re no doubt asking. It’s Patsy Cline, of course, and her home in Winchester, Virginia - the only tourist site in the country dedicated to the iconic singer – is now a museum open for touring and paying respects.

Patsy on the front porch of 608 S. Kent Street, now The Patsy Cline Historic House.

In Patsy’s Footsteps: Winchester

The Patsy Cline Historic House (608 S. Kent Street) opened to the public this year. She resided in the modest home with her mother and first husband from 1948 to 1953 and returned intermittently until 1957.

John Handley High School (425 Handley Blvd.) is where Patsy struggled to earn an education. She dropped out at age 16 to help support her family. Working the soda fountain at Gaunt’s Drugstore (S. Loudoun St. & Gerrard St.) was one of Patsy’s jobs during her teenage years.

WNC-92.5 FM Studio (520 N. Pleasant Valley Road) is where Patsy made her very first radio appearance.

The home you’ll see (but can’t tour) at 720 S. Kent Street is the one in which Patsy married Charles Allen Dick. You can also see the Winchester Star at 2 N. Kent Street, which is where Charles worked as a linotype operator.

Patsy’s parents, Samuel Lawrence Hensley and Hilda Virginia Patterson Hensley, are interred at National Cemetery (401 National Avenue). Shenandoah Memorial Park (1270 Front Royal Pike) is where you’ll find Patsy’s final resting place. Folks leave pennies on her headstone for good luck.

A glimpse inside The Patsy Cline Historic House.

A Little About Patsy

Ginny took the stage name Patsy when a radio personality gave her a chance to tour regionally with his band, Melody Boys and Girls. When she married Gerald E. Cline in 1953, she became Patsy Cline.

Patsy’s first 45 single, released in 1954, was not successful, but in 1955 she was able to take the stage with Jimmy Dean on a 30-minute music variety television program in the Washington DC area. The spotlight moment launched her onto Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts in 1957 where she took the prize with “Walkin’ After Midnight”. The beginning of her musical career met the end of her marriage.

In September 1957 Patsy married Charles Allen Dick. The birth of their first child put her career on hold for a time, but in 1959 the family moved to Nashville. In 1960 Patsy became a regular on the Grand Ole Opry and in 1961 “I Fall to Pieces” topped the country charts and landed at number 12 on the pop charts.

An automobile accident critically injured Patsy in June 1961, but she made it back into the studio by August to record “Crazy” – a song written by Willie Nelson that would rise to number two on the country charts and number nine on the pop charts. In December, “She’s Got You” was recorded and would become her second number-one country hit.

Over Patsy’s career she was seen performing with Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash and George Jones. She landed appearances on American Bandstand and played Carnegie Hall. By 1963 she had more than 100 recordings under her belt.

March 5, 1963 was Patsy’s last day as the plane she was aboard crashed in Tennessee. Her remains were buried in Winchester.

Like many performers lost too soon, Patsy’s notoriety came after her death:

• Country Music Hall of Fame, 1973 – first solo female elected
• Virginia Folk Music Association’s Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame, 1981
• National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award, 1995
• Grammy Hall of Fame, 1992 for “Crazy” and 2001 for “I Fall to Pieces”
• United States Commemorative Stamp, 1993
• Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1999
• “Crazy” is the number one jukebox hit of all time.

For more information or to pick up a map of the Winchester area, visit the Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Drive.

LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Virginia is for Lovers.
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August 10-12, 2012 marks the third year for the Richmond Jazz Festival, an event that is quickly becoming the premiere concert festival of its kind. Situated at an ever serene Maymont, the Festival’s smooth, soulful sounds blend sweetly into the laid back summer setting.

Richmond Jazz Festival

Richmond Jazz Festival attendees can expect to enjoy more than 20 local, national and international artists appearing on two stages, including George Benson, Dave Koz, India Arie, Trombone Shorty, and Robert Cray. However, the lucky winner of the Richmond Jazz Festival VIP Weekend Sweepstakes can expect a great deal more.

One winner will receive an exclusive VIP experience to include:

• A two-night stay at The Jefferson Hotel or the Hilton Garden Inn
• Four Richmond Jazz Festival tickets – two for Saturday and two for Sunday
• Transportation to and from the Festival
• Breakfast both Saturday and Sunday
• Corporate Hospitality VIP Tent Access
• VIP Artist Meet & Greet (photo and autograph opportunity)
•  Jazz Festival Care Package

Enter Now
Official Rules

Sweepstakes ends July 18, 2012 and is open to U.S. residents 21 years of age and older. Travel is required August 10-12, 2012. Each entrant will receive a Virginia Travel Guide.

As you get back to work after a long holiday weekend, let us help you brainstorm other ways to spend your days off this summer. You know you’re ready to walk away and enjoy life outside the workplace again. Or is it just me?

Music events are huge during the summer months with various genres and venues. Most assuredly, there’s a summer music festival just for you. Like a jazz sax over a mandolin? I’ve got one for you. Let’s dig in.

Beach Music

Stuart Beach Music Festival

Stuart’s 31st Annual Hot Fun in the Summertime Beach Music Festival is June 7-9. Now you might be thinking, “beach music in the Blue Ridge Highlands?” Well, yes. The sand is trucked in and the bands are annual favorites at any beach music event you encounter. Come camp out, kick back and listen or shag to Band of Oz, The Tams, Jim Quick & Coastline, The Holiday Band, Big Daddy Love, and The Mark Roberts Band.

The Band of Oz gets around, I tell ya. See them again at the StellarOne Beach Music Festival in Buena Vista on July 28 at Glen Maury Park. They’re headlining along with Magnificents Band.

Bluegrass and Old Time

Old time fiddlin’ is hot in the summer. So hot that competitions are held with prize money, ribbons, and trophies going to the favorite musicians and bands. If “pickin’ and grinnin’” is your slice of life, pull up a camp chair, but make sure your flat footin’ shoes are at the ready.

• Glen Lyn – June 8-9 – 10th Annual Henry Reed Memorial Fiddlers Convention
• Richlands – June 15-16 – Virginia Mountain Music Festival
• Mouth of Wilson - June 16 - Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival & Guitar Competition
• Elk Creek - June 22-23 - Grayson County Fiddler’s Convention
• Stuart - July 11-14 - Wayside Bluegrass Festival
• Galax - August 6-11 - Galax Old Fiddlers Convention

Blues and Jazz

The Virginia Blues & Jazz Festival is held at Garth Newel in Hot Springs June 15-17. The performers are quite acclaimed – Grammy Award winners Grupo Fantasma and The Robert Cray Band promise an amazing weekend in the mountains.

Winchester Blues House Festival

In Hampton, the namesake Hampton Jazz Festival gets underway June 22 and is a three day event. Going strong for 45 years, the nation’s top blues, jazz, soul, and pop performers know they can count on a great crowd when they perform this event. Which top performers? How about Kenny G, Charlie Wilson, Natalie Cole, Monica, Jill Scott, Dave Koz, and BeBe Winans? They’ll be there with a few others.

The Winchester Blues House Festival is unique in that 100% of the festival net proceeds benefit local Habitat for Humanity efforts. Enjoy great musicians including headliner The Pat Travers Band on July 14.

This summer marks the 30th year for the Norfolk Jazz Festival and it promises to be better than ever with Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Marcus Anderson, Peter Wright, Rick Braun, Gerald Albright, and more. July 20-21.

In a League of Its Own

FloydFest

FloydFest. Now there’s one of Virginia’s key summer music events. Camp around the Blue Cow Pavilion for four days (July 26-29) of “Lovers Rock” – seven stages hosting more than 50 musical performances spanning generations, more than 100 artisans, demonstrations, workshops, a Children’s Universe, babysitting service, and plenty of amazing food.

The list of FloydFest performers is outstanding. To mention but a few …

• Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
• Jackson Browne
• Brandi Carlile
• Drive By Truckers
• Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
• Punch Brothers

Variety at the Beach

Virginia Beach is a given summer destination, but here’re a few more reasons why the call of the oceanfront is a little louder for music lovers.

Hardee’s Latin Fest is big on flavor – both in food and in music. Shake what you got as Salsa, Merengue, and Jazz are key to this event. June 8 and 9 on the beach at 24th Street. Free!

Sandstock – A Blast from the Past is just that. Cover bands for 60s, 70s, and 80s music take over the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street parks June 22-24. If you love The Who, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones, Pat Benatar, Elvis, and other key figures from those music periods, you’ll love this festival. Bring your tie dye and lots of hairspray! Free.

The big hits of summer at the beach come in the form of The Verizon Wireless American Music Festival. One giant stage sits on the sand and all of the other stages along the boardwalk are utilized as well for this three day multi-genre event. This year’s headliners are O.A.R., Cheap Trick, and Train. You’ve gotta be there – August 31-September 2.

Even Classical!

It might come as a surprise, but even classical music draws a festival crowd. See what I mean …

The Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival is held June 10-17 in Harrisonburg. Lawn chairs and cut-offs are discouraged, since this festival is held in a concert hall. Expect to see Grammy Award winner Eugene Friesen.

Wintergreen Resort hosts the Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival the weekends of July 6-8, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, and August 4-5. Enjoy pieces by Beethoven, Stravinsky, Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, Corelli, and Bach.

Just a little way down the road, classical junkies can experience a variety of venues to take in the sounds of the Staunton Music Festival August 17-25.

If this is still not enough for you to choose from, never fear. It’s not a comprehensive list and you can find more music and festivals at Virginia.org.

LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Virginia is for Lovers.
Request your free Virginia Travel Guide. 

Incredible artists, commissioned works, extraordinary collaborations, and unforgettable performances … it’s all waiting for you at the 16th Annual Virginia Arts Festival, April 16-June 6.

For 16 years, this acclaimed festival has brought the world’s great artists to performance venues throughout the Hampton Roads area, making this beautiful region – already beloved for its beaches, pristine waterways, wildlife, and historical attractions that date back to the earliest days of our country – a cultural destination for travelers from around the world.

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones

Key Events:

April 16: Renée Fleming

April 24: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones – The Original Line-Up

April 27-29: Virginia International Tattoo

May 5: Flying Proms Symphonic Air Show Spectacular

May 12: Al Pacino: One Night Only

Flying Proms Symphonic Air Show Spectacular

May 19: Virginia Beer Festival

May 25: Harlem Renaissance Orchestra

June 6: Virginia Arts Festival Finale & OpSail 2012 Opening Night Gala

See the full schedule of events, preferred lodging partners, dining options, and more at www.Virginia.org/VAArtsFestival/.